*Note: I was on a retreat last week and did not send out Sermon Nuggets. I am picking 2 Peter back up.

5. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your, faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6. and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7. and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.      10.  Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,11. and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A man was driving on a country road when he notices a chicken running beside his car. He sped up and so did the chicken. As he went faster the chicken went faster until they both were going 80 MPH. Then the chicken makes a quick right into a farmyard.  The man went to the farmer to inquire about this amazing four-legged chicken. "It’s a new breed; I'm going to get rich selling drumsticks"

"How do they taste?" The man asked.  
"I don't know. Haven't been able to catch one yet."

Many times we plan something and it doesn't work out the way we planned. We might be unaware of facts that are important to consider.

Last time we began devotions from 2nd Peter. He reminded the Gentile believers of privileges that were theirs as children of God. In addition to faith, grace and peace, they experience the indwelling presence of God and the power of God and the promises that are ours for all eternity. All of this comes from God because of His righteousness and active love. God has provided all we need for our salvation and sanctification.

Like the benefactor who pays our way for college, it is purchased, but the scholarship isn't doing us much good, unless we study, prepare and are diligent in applying what that gift represents. I have seen so many defeated Christians because they are not using the qualities needed for a further, deeper knowledge of God. There is something more than simply increasing our intellectual knowledge of Jesus Christ! Peter is talking about growing in a full and personal knowledge of Jesus Christ! This is what is described in the passage we will be studying this week. 

What makes a quality Christian? Several characteristics identify maturity, but it is not stagnant. There are many daily challenges that with time begin to allow the light of Jesus shine in us.

Application:   As you look at the list in the above passage what character traits do you sense needs work in your life at this time? 

Prayer:  Lord, I pray that I will grow in the knowledge and power provided through Your Word.  Enable me to be more like Jesus from within, so much so that it will show through on the outside and prove the be effective and productive in my Christian walk.